Monarch's Way
Contents
- Introduction
- Worcester Battlefield (Powick Fields)
- Worcester to Droitwich
- Droitwich to Chaddesley Corbett
- Chaddesley Corbett to Hagley
- Hagley to Stourton via Stourbridge
- Stourton to Wombourne and Pendrell Hall
- Wombourne to Oaken
- Oaken to White Ladies Priory via Boscobel House
- White Ladies (Boscobel) to Kemberton
- Kemberton to Norton via Madeley
- Boscobel to Moseley Old Hall
- Moseley Old Hall to Bentley Hall
- Bentley Hall to Halesowen
- Halesowen to Stratford on Avon
Introduction
The Monarch's Way is a Long Distance Footpath devised by the late Trevor Antill based upon the route taken by King Charles II in his flight to exile following the Battle of Worcester on September 3rd 1651. The footpath runs for 619 miles from the battlefield at Worcester to Shoreham on Sea in Sussex.
King Charles I was executed on 30th January 1649. His son Charles landed in Scotland in 1650 and was crowned as King of Scotland the following year. Aged 21 he marched into England at the head of a Scottish army raising his standard in Worcester. His subsequent flight took place over six weeks during which he was a fugitive with a price on his head culminating with his escape to France on the coal barque Surprise.
Worcester Battlefield (Powick Fields)
The final battle of the Civil War was fought on 3rd September 1651 between a largely Scots Royalist force led by King Charles II and a much larger Parliamentary force led by Oliver Cromwell. The sacrifice of the Highland Clans and Lowland Scots is marked by a plaque at the start of the Monarch’s Way.
Powick bridge features at both the start and end of the Civil Wars. One of the first skirmishes of the Civil War took place here in 1642 when a Royalist baggage train was attacked.
The River Teme forms the southern edge of the battlefield.
On reaching the confluence with the River Severn the Monarch’s Way heads upstream to Worcester Bridge.
The Parliamentary forces constructed two bridges of boats across the River Severn and River Teme near to the confluence allowing the cavalry to rout the Royalist forces on Powick Fields.
King Charles II observed the progress of the battle on the meadows west of Worcester from his vantage point on the tower of the cathedral.
Worcester to Droitwich
The Monarch's Way leaves the city using the towpath of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. The canal was opened almost 180 years after the battle but provides a quiet start to the journey ahead.
The Commandery beside Lock 3 was the Kings headquarters near to Sudbury Gate. From here the king escaped to King Charles House before fleeing the city
Leaving the canal at Bridge 17 the path heads north through Fernhill Heath to join the Droitwich Barge Canal at Porters Hill Farm. The Barge Canal was built to transport salt to the River Severn. It has recently been re-opened as far as the River Salwarpe and the link to the Worcester & Birmingham canal will be restored in 2011. The footpath now follows it all the way to the outskirts of Droitwich.
Droitwich to Chaddesley Corbett
Sir John Packington of Westwood, Hampton Lovett had mustered with Charles at Worcester
Chaddesley Corbett
Chaddesley Corbett to Hagley
Passing by Harvington Hall the route passes through open countryside to Hagley.( Page 1 2 3 4 5 next >> )